Blog Category: Farmer Profiles

Fields of Hope: Fundraiser for YA!

Posted by Michalina Hunter on September 02, 2020 1 Comment

Local photographer Andrée Thorpe has been photographing life on farms for four years. She goes beyond capturing daily activities to focus on what it really means to have a deep commitment to the land, to the community, and to social good. She has learned that farming is serious hard work and that you cannot be afraid to embrace it. Andrée has published a beautiful book called Fields of Hope. It is a collection of images that celebrates farmers and their way of life. With it, the goal is to create a sequence of images in unity to praise and honour their craft and … Continue reading Fields of Hope: Fundraiser for YA! →

Looking for Land: Farmer seeking land to grow garlic near Prince George, B.C.

Posted by Michalina Hunter on August 17, 2020

We have more land seekers and opportunities than what is listed here! Get in touch with the a Land Matcher at land@youngagrarians.org to access our full land inventory and B.C. Land Matching Program support in your region. ABOUT THE FARMER Hola! I was born and raised in Barcelona – daughter of a Catalan mother and a Canadian father – where I did my schooling and obtained a post-secondary degree in professional cooking. I immigrated to Vancouver in 2008 out of a sense of adventure where I started working as a server. In an unforeseen turn of events, I found my way out of the … Continue reading Looking for Land: Farmer seeking land to grow garlic near Prince George, B.C. →

LOOKING FOR LAND: Farmer Seeking Vineyards on Vancouver Island

Posted by Azja Jones Martin on July 27, 2020

We have more landseekers and opportunities than what is listed here! Get in touch with the a Land Matcher at land@youngagrarians.org to access our full land inventory and B.C. Land Matching Program support in your region. ABOUT THE FARMER Nice to meet you. Here is a little about who I am and my motivations for wanting to start a business. So—about me. I did not grow up on a farm. I never had the inclination to work in agriculture from a young age. Instead, I always loved the science and thought I would one day grow up to be a scientist. I … Continue reading LOOKING FOR LAND: Farmer Seeking Vineyards on Vancouver Island →

New Farmer Shout Out: Peace River, AB-Green Acres

Posted by Lilli Klamke on July 17, 2020

Are you looking for producers of fresh and local vegetables in the Peace Country? Here they are! Katharina and John’s market garden is called “Green Acres”. They took on the challenge of producing fresh vegetables like peppers, leafy greens, cucumbers and much more in the oftentimes difficult climate of northern Alberta. They are not certified organic vegetable producers yet but are purposely not using any chemicals on their land and are following organically-oriented ways of vegetable production. Katharina and John Klassen are in their second season of farming a little acreage just outside of Peace River, AB. Each of them … Continue reading New Farmer Shout Out: Peace River, AB-Green Acres →

Sparkly Eyes, Grit, and Land Access: New Organic Farmers on Leased Land

Posted by Darcy Smith on July 05, 2020 2 Comments

This article was originally published in the BC Organic Grower Summer 2020 and is shared here with thanks! Spring on an organic produce farm looks like baby greens, tiny radishes, overflowing seedling greenhouses, and freshly turned soil. Everything feels precious and new and brimming with possibility. Touring around Loveland Acres in Salmon Arm with farmers Robin and Maylene, those feelings were especially palpable and poignant since it’s their first season on the land. They’ve had a long journey getting here, one filled with familiar challenges and dreams. The other familiar things these farmers have are sparkly eyes and grit, ineffable … Continue reading Sparkly Eyes, Grit, and Land Access: New Organic Farmers on Leased Land →

Spotlight on Akesi Farms & Fungi Akuafo in Sundre, AB

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 30, 2020 3 Comments

Kwesi and Meghan of Akesi Farms are mentoring Phil (left) as their intern this year through the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program. Meghan Vesey and Kwesi Haizel operate Akesi Farms, a diversified ecological farm that currently hosts chickens, geese, bees, and annual and perennial gardens. They farm in a very cold climate, and demonstrate the abundance that can be produced in a short season! They also welcome many visitors to their farm in the summer, involving them in whatever projects are happening at that time, and giving them a taste of the farming life. Meghan also operates Fungi Akuafo with Tara … Continue reading Spotlight on Akesi Farms & Fungi Akuafo in Sundre, AB →

8 Contributions of Black Farmers to Regenerative Agriculture

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 18, 2020 3 Comments

Photo via Grist As an organization that works to increase access to land for new and young farmers, we deeply acknowledge the racism and inequality within our food systems. Farming in North America takes place on the stolen lands of Indigenous peoples, and is built on the enslavement and exploitation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Check out the documentaries We Are the Roots and Secret Alberta: The Former Life of Amber Valley to learn more. For agriculture to be truly regenerative, as a society, we must address the embedded racism that permeates our communities and institutions. Major contributions … Continue reading 8 Contributions of Black Farmers to Regenerative Agriculture →

Updates from the Okanagan Land Matcher: Summerland Success!

Posted by Tessa Wetherill on June 18, 2020

I stopped in recently to check in with Pravin and Tony in Summerland, two of the B.C. Land Matching Program participants who were successfully matched last year. Pravin was matched with 18 acres of land for a vineyard and it just so happened to be vine planting day! He’s struggled to secure labour this spring because of COVID19, but still managed to get 17 workers out in the field including his Dad, cousins, sister Navneet and workers from Spain, Jamaica and Mexico. Navneet is trimming vine roots that are covered in wax to prevent rot and soaked in seaweed juice … Continue reading Updates from the Okanagan Land Matcher: Summerland Success! →

Looking for Land: Farmer Seeking Land in South Okanagan

Posted by Tessa Wetherill on June 08, 2020

We have more landseekers and opportunities than what is listed here! Get in touch with the a Land Matcher at land@youngagrarians.org to access our full land inventory and B.C. Land Matching Program support in your region. ABOUT THE FARMER I was born in 1999 and raised in Oliver BC my whole life. My earliest childhood memories involve me running and playing around the orchard. Agriculture has been in my roots for many generations. My father started his orchard career in 1995 and I have been helping him since I was a young child. During my childhood, I did everything I could to be … Continue reading Looking for Land: Farmer Seeking Land in South Okanagan →

Putting the Young in Young Agrarians: Growing on Gitxsan Territory

Posted by Jolene Swain on May 15, 2020 1 Comment

One of the most common questions we get is whether Young Agrarians has an age limit. The answer is no! We are happy to support the young and the young at heart when it comes to folks growing food and stewarding land. Noah definitely falls on the young end of the spectrum, he is the youngest farmer I know. From an early age, Noah developed a fascination with growing, getting into propagation by taking clippings from all the house plants and potting them up. “For awhile, we had a huge surplus of plants around the house” says Jacob, Noahs father. … Continue reading Putting the Young in Young Agrarians: Growing on Gitxsan Territory →